Tuesday, 30 December 2008

Every once in a while, I will feel like an unhealthy lump of lard and decide to cook more simply. Today, we had fresh pasta with store-bought Arrabiata sauce, carrots and paprika. It was OK lah but I miss my meat.

One of my favourite things about living in Europe is wine! Cheap wine to be exact! You can easily buy drinkable wine for 2-3 euro per bottle. For dinners, we usually buy wine in the 3-6 euro range. Tonight, we had Chianti, produced in Tuscany. It was 3.99 euro from the Albert Heijn (supermarket). The Dutchman and I usually drink red wine with food. He hates white wine. We both adore rose but that's only for the summer (or so they say!).

When I have girls over at my place, I serve prosecco (Italian sparkling white wine).

Life is simple here in The Netherlands. Taxes are incredibly high and wages are low but there is no need to save for your children's education or for rainy days. If you lose your job, you get welfare. I have never taken money off the Dutch government (in fact, I am paying them!) but it's nice to know I have a safety net if something happens! Despite high costs, we somehow still manage to have a pretty good life- dinners at restaurants at least once a month, good food at home, a new car (Most people don't buy new cars here), a nice apartment in the center, health insurance... I think I'm used to such things now and can't fathom going back to Malaysia anymore. I love Malaysia and that's where I feel comfortable most but life here is safe and the working hours here are amazing (full-time means 40 hours, not even a single minute more).

I only wish I could bring my parents over (healthcare only 100 euro per person per month mah). Perhaps later, when I have a proper job. I don't think they want to come though because despite the security and the better standard of living, The Netherlands lack one thing: friends and family. The individualistic culture here means that people are expected and do take card of themselves. I miss the warmth of my family and friends back home. Of course I miss the food also lar! :D

First time! I have no recipe, almost no ingredients but it didn't even taste that bad haha. I really wanted to eat it with kiam chye but I don't know how to buy that. I ended eating it with kimchi instead.

Monday, 29 December 2008

I lost my username and password so I couldn't post here for months! I'll try making up for it by posting a looooooong post.

Life has changed a lot. I am a full-time student with limited income now but that doesn't mean my meals have suffered!

The Dutchman's family celebrates Christmas (every occasion actually!) very simply. No presents and no turkey/ham/whatever. This year, we were asked to make a dish (or two) per couple. The Dutchman made witlof met ham en kaas (Belgian endive with ham and cheese) because I have never eaten that before and after some serious thinking (I wanted to make Malaysian grilled fish but everything was sold out), I made leeks with bacon and thyme. It was SO good. It's my favourite way to prepare vegetables like leeks and brussel sprouts now!

Then, put the contents into a small oven dish. Add the chicken stock and white wine. Arrange the leeks on top.

Turn on your oven and warm it to 200 degrees celsius. Cover your dish with bacon strips. Next comes the kind off weird part: lightly soak a baking paper and cover dish with it. Then, wrap the entire dish with aluminium foil.

You can leave the dish in the oven for about 35 minutes. Then, take off the foil and paper and leave it in for another 10+ minutes. The bacon will be crisp:D

Season the dish (if you want. IMHO it doesn't need to be seasoned). Remove bacon, chop it into bits and sprinkle it on top of the dish. Voila!

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For Brussel sprouts, I use white onions (instead of the green parts), I fry the bacon (separately), lightly boil the brussel sprouts in water first (and finish off the remaining boiling in the sauce). Much easier, a lot less time and it still tastes good!

As mentioned, the Dutchman doesn't care for food. I couldn't understand this for a long time because food is central in Malaysian culture. People show their love through food. You might not see the older generation kiss or hug but you know they love each other when they cook dishes the other person likes.

I used to make elaborate dishes on special occasions for the Dutchman but he's a broodje kaas (plain cheese sandwich) sort of person so I don't bother anymore! Nothing makes him happier than stampot (potatoes mashed with certain kinds of vegetables and a smoked sausage). Expats find stampot dreary, tasteless and boring. I quite like it though.

Christmas EveI served Salmon Brioche with the above-mentioned leeks and caramelized carrots

Dessert was a trifle.

Riccardo celebrated Boxing Day with us. Riccardo is practically family. He comes here 2-3 times a week and we celebrate birthdays, Christmas, New Year's and even Chinese New Year together. I don't have to do anything when he comes. He's like a pet or a piece of furniture really. Sometimes, the Dutchman and the Italian will game together in the computer room. Sometimes, they will sit in front of the TV while I tap on my keyboard. Everytime he comes, he makes me coffee in my own home haha. He was the Dutchman's friend first but I think we have really grown to like each other and are very comfortable now.

The most popular thing to do for Christmas this year is 'gourmetten' which is basically grilling or frying something on a hot plate.

Sides:Fresh salad and the brussel sprouts above (had to finish the tiny bunch of thyme I bought for 2.99 euro!)

Saturday, 5 April 2008

The Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas on December 5th every year. Sinterklaas is a bishop from Myra who believes in helping the poor and giving. Children leave carrots in their shoes by the fireplace for Sinterklaas' horse and in return, receive chocolate coins, pepernootje (small ,very addictive, spiced cookies) and presents.

The Salcicia pasta recipe is from "Cook with Jamie" , a Sinterklaas present from Maartje.

2) Squeeze the sausages out of their skins and break them apart in a saucepan over medium heat with the back of a spoon. The meat should resemble minced meat. Add chilli and fennel seeds mixture +oregano and stir.

3) When it's almost done, pour the wine into the pan ,lower heat and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes.

4) Boil pasta in a separate pot.

5) When pasta is ready, drain the water. Add the meat into the pot together with the pasta, lemon zest and juice, parmesan and parseley. Serve immediately.

I prefer stronger tasting food. When my mother made steamed, braised or clear soups, I would often get my father to drive to McDonalds or more recently, call McDelivery so it surprised me when I found myself craving for steamed fish this morning.

It was so flaky, so sweet and I love the piquant-ness of the cilantro.

i) Marinate the fish with a few drops of sesame oil, salt and a sprinkling of sugar. Spoon some minced ginger or ginger slices on top of the fish. You can marinate the fish 30 minutes-1 hour before steaming but it's no big deal if you just steam it immediately. The star of this dish is fresh fish.

ii) Steam fish

iii) When fish is cooked, drizzle some soy sauce and the chopped cilantro.

1) Season the beef with salt and pepper and leave for at least 15 minutes.

2) Melt the butter in a a braising pot and saute the meat until light brown (but not fully cooked). This should take around 3 minutes.

3) Add onions and saute until soft. You can then add the herbs, stock and 2 tablespoons winevinegar. Stir and bring to a soft boil. Lower heat and let it simmer for about 3 hours with the lid on (leave a little hole for the steam to escape).

4) When done, remove meat and herbs (not required but they're not edible) from the pot. Stir in gingerbread. This will give the sauce an underlying complicity and will also help thicken the sauce. Increase heat and stir sauce until thickened.

5) Stir in the meat and season with salt and pepper. Add the remaining vinegar just before serving. Hache keeps very well and will taste even better the next day.